Memorial Day 2016

We spent Memorial day surrounded with people we love.  I can't imagine a better way to remember and celebrate the freedom that we have than to be thankful for the men and women who have given their lives so that we could enjoy it! 

Here were a few snapshots...

Pool time:

 We made our own butter for home made bread to go with dinner:

 We made our own pasta, just like my grandma made, with the pasta maker from my parents wedding:

Dinner was amazing!

 Cousins are pretty much the best...❤︎

How thankful we are for the family and friends that we have and where we live and the freedom that we experience on a daily basis... How good it was to pause and remember the men and women who make this life possible.❤︎

Kindergarten Open House!

Last Thursday, Ryder had his first school open house.  Kit, Eden, and his Mia and Papa were there!

 Each kiddo had these descriptions and you had to guess which one was each child... 

 Our friends brought Eden a fan that she was SO excited about!

We love Mrs. Wigley!

 It was a really special evening for our little guy!

Since they were three...

...they have been riding two wheeler bikes.

 They chase each other and race and make up games on their bikes.

They love it so much and we live on a cul-de-sac which makes it even better!

It's been the perfect activity for these late afternoons.❤︎

to the moon and back...

I took Eden thrift shopping a few weeks back and we found a bag of Bananagrams for $1. I thought they would be perfect for a little project for one of our walls.

 I used the magnets that realtors leave on our door step with their business card. I cut them down to fit each square.

 I used super glue instead of a hot glue gun because the area was tiny and it was WAY easier!

 My kiddos sat next to me, watching chopped, while I crafted away...

 We had gotten this metal wall hanger in Napa for our 10 year wedding anniversary and I had been waiting to figure out how to have it up in our home.  I put it by our sinks in our room...

 I picked the phrase from a book that Kit had gotten me when we were dating:

(I have always loved children's books and have to admit that I had a rather large collection of them WAY before kiddos even came onto the radar...)

We read it to our kiddos and the quote just makes me smile when I think of it's history...❤︎

nesting...

We could see out of our kitchen window that a bird was making some type of nest in the eaves of our patio cover.  The kids and I decided to see if there was actually a nest or if she was just using the spot to rest.  There was about a two inch gap that allowed only our iPhone to go through.  And this is what we saw...

I was so bummed that there wasn't any over head clearance to actually look at it, but the picture of it did the trick...

While the kiddos were waiting to take Ryder to school, they asked if I could show them the picture "just one more time Mom!"

It's really pretty darn cute!❤︎

tooth fairy notes...

As of yet, Ryder has not lost a tooth.  He has been there when a couple of his friends have lost them and there was so much blood that he was pretty overwhelmed by the whole thing. Even though his friends told him that it didn't hurt, he is still a little nervous to actually lose a tooth.  So we decided to make a fun holder for his teeth when he leaves them for the tooth fairy.  It made a fun distraction from the fact that two of his teeth are lose and will inevitably coming out soon...

It was just a basic pocket, with felt that I had on hand.

We made one for Eden too, since at this point she is CONVINCED she will lose a tooth before Ryder does...

To personalize it, I found these wooden buttons at the craft store:

It was perfect for painting...

 He was so into it!  At one point he looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm really feeling like an artist!"

 The finished painted creation.  Once it dried, I sprayed it with a clear top coat and then sewed it on to the tooth pocket.  They didn't have an 'E' but I figure we will cross that bridge when we come to it...❤︎

The finished product:

Now we are ready for when one of those tiny teeth decide to come out...

It's funny, Ryder had the WORST time with teething and each one felt like it was such a battle!

Now were are watching baby teeth get lose and adult teeth will be making their way in...

Oh my goodness!

A little get away...

This last Friday, I was able to go with Kit on his management team retreat.  It was so fun to be together and talk and pray about the coming ministry year.

We stayed at the Lake House in San Marcos.

 Our view was incredibly peaceful...

 The management team at dinner...

 The next morning, this was my view while I read and prayed and enjoyed some peace and quiet!

 We grabbed coffee at this really cool place that was so inviting for conversations!

We had such a fun time and I was so thankful to be able to be part of the overnight, looking ahead to the next year!  

P.S. And while we were there, the kids were spoiled by their Papa...

There were serious tears from Eden after he left...